The post Air Astana signs codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Air Astana signed a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, effective from 26 November 2024, marking an important step in strengthening the strategic partnership and expanding travel opportunities for passengers of both airlines.

As part of this agreement, Air Astana passengers will have access to Etihad Airways’ flights to Mumbai, Riyadh, Dammam, Bahrain, Cairo, Doha, Kuwait City, and Muscat, unlocking new travel experiences to India, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Etihad’s global network will be accessible to Air Astana passengers via seamless connections in Abu Dhabi, utilizing Air Astana’s direct flights from Astana, which were launched in late October, and from Almaty starting from 5th December 2024.

“We are excited to partner with Etihad Airways, offering our passengers enhanced travel options and convenient access to a broader network. This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing passengers with an exceptional and comfortable travel options, whilst maintaining the highest standards of service and safety. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board following this partnership,” said Zhanna Shayakhmetova, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Air Astana.

Codeshare agreements allow for single bookings, simplified check-in processes, and seamless baggage transfer between airlines. To date, Air Astana has signed codeshare agreements with eight airlines worldwide.

 

 

 

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The post Cebu Pacific is now the first Philippine company to take over the Burj Khalifa appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific illuminated Dubai’s night sky as it took over the famed Burj Khalifa with a brilliant light and sound display.

This makes Cebu Pacific the first Philippine company to display on the iconic landmark.

The airline’s display centred on the theme Fly to Happy, Fly to the Philippines and presented the most iconic reasons why travellers should head to the Philippines in 2025.

A story filled with warmth and smiles

Projected onto the world’s tallest building, the show captured the warmth and smiles of Filipinos, alongside the natural beauty of the Philippines, including the world-famous beaches of Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu, and breathtaking sites like Mayon Volcano in Legazpi, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, and Mt. Apo in Davao.

In a statement released on Sunday, 24th November, airline president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said: “We’re proud to share a piece of home on such a grand stage. This is a celebration of Philippine pride and an invitation for travelers to connect with the unique beauty, culture, and warmth that our country offers.”

Through this campaign, Cebu Pacific sought to invite travelers around the world to experience the wonders of the Philippines and offer Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a nostalgic view of home.

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The post Wendy Wu Tours lauds visa-free entry into China for Australians appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Australia’s Wendy Wu Tours declared its approval of the Chinese Embassy’s recent announcement regarding China’s extended visa-free entry policy for Australian citizens.

The China travel specialist referred to the policy as a game-changer when it comes to that particular destination.

Per the Chinese Embassy in Canberra, Australian passport holders can enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, transit, and exchange purposes.

The policy will be in effect from 30th November 2024 to 31st December 2025.

Wendy Wu Tours Australia managing director Simon Bell said of the announcement: “This is an incredibly exciting announcement for Australian travellers eager to explore the cultural and natural wonders of China. Extending the visa-free period to 30 days provides even more opportunities for immersive and meaningful travel experiences. Wendy Wu Tours has been at the forefront of showcasing China’s beauty, and this change ensures that even more Australians can rediscover its many treasures with ease.”

An expansion for an existing policy

China;s recent policy update builds on the earlier introduction of a 15-day visa-free travel policy, further simplifying travel arrangements for Australian visitors.

Officials at Simon Bell Wendy Wu Tours Australia praised the move, emphasising its positive impact on reigniting interest in China as a top travel destination:

Wendy Wu Tours has long been synonymous with exceptional travel experiences in China, offering a wide array of meticulously curated tours. 

In August of this year, the company launched its 2025/2026 China travel brochure, designed to inspire Australian travellers with an array of tour options that blend cultural richness, historical landmarks, and modern marvels.

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The post Vietjet launches new Hanoi – Kuala Lumpur route appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Vietjet announced a new daily Hanoi – Kuala Lumpur route that begins operations on Thursday, 28th November.

This is Vietjet’s second service between Vietnam and Malaysia, following the successful launch of the Ho Chi Minh City – Kuala Lumpur route back in 2016. 

With this addition, Vietjet is set to offer a total of 14 weekly round-trip flights between the two countries, meeting the growing demand for travel and offering convenient connections for passengers. 

Leaders from both Vietnam and Malaysia expressed their confidence that the new route will further strengthen bilateral ties, contribute to the ASEAN region’s shared growth.

Gateway to Vietnam

Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur are both dynamic cities, each brimming with cultural richness and historical landmarks. 

Hanoi, with its blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy, offers travellers a journey back in time with historical sites like the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the recently renovated Hanoi Opera House. 

Known for its bustling street food culture, Hanoi is a food lover’s paradise, with delicacies like pho and bun cha. 

It is also a gateway to fascinating destinations like Ha Long Bay and the terraced rice fields of Sapa, offering travellers a wide range of cultural and natural experiences across Vietnam. 

Singaporean travelers can easily take Vietjet’s direct flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang with affordable air fares and convenient flight schedule.

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The post Plaza Premium Group and Adelaide Airport team up for Flight Club Adelaide appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Plaza Premium Group (PPG) recently entered an agreement with Adelaide Airport to establish Flight Club Adelaide, PPG’s first domestic terminal experience in Oceania and the debut of the Flight Club brand in the region. 

The new lounge is set to take a cue from the success of the existing Plaza Premium Lounge in the International Terminal.

PPG founder and chief executive Song Hoi See remarked after the signing: “Australia has always been an important market for PPG, and we have been growing since we opened Australia’s first independent international airport lounge in Brisbane in 2016. Last year, we expanded in South Australia, opening the first and only international lounge at Adelaide Airport, another key hub of the country. Given that a substantial proportion of flights flying through Adelaide are domestic and this market is still growing, we believe there is a rising demand for airport hospitality experiences.”

Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox added: “We’re delighted to welcome Flight Club Adelaide, which can be accessed by all of our customers regardless of which airline they are flying with. This new experience will align with our retail vision to unwrap the best of South Australia by featuring South Australian brands and locally sourced ingredients, and complement the highly successful Plaza Premium lounge in our international departures precinct.”

Flight Club Adelaide is set to open in mid-2025, with further updates to be shared closer to the launch date.

An impeccable pre-flight experience

Located within the domestic departure hall at Adelaide Airport, Flight Club Adelaide will offer a tranquil, welcoming space for travellers to relax, dine, and recharge.

The new Flight Club Adelaide aims to elevate the pre-flight experience while celebrating the rich flavours and unique character of South Australia. 

Aligned with PPG’s Proudly Local initiative, the Flight Club experience will feature a variety of offerings crafted from locally sourced ingredients, providing a taste of the region for guests in an aviation inspired setting with a sleek contemporary design.

Designed to cater to all travellers, Flight Club Adelaide will especially appeal to today’s digital-savvy generation, offering an accessible, premium experience at an affordable price. 

With its blend of comfort, convenience, and quality dining, Flight Club Adelaide invites guests of all ages to enjoy a premium environment without breaking the budget.

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The post Maxamation’s Aviator system boosts fastjet’s revenues appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Africa’s leading low-cost airline fastjet is currently reaping the benefits of using Maxamation’s Aviator revenue management systems.

The airline has used the Australian airline revenue management systems developer’s Aviator RM since 2017 and recently upgraded to its new web-based Aviator as of July 2024.

Samantha Allers, general manager for revenue management at fastjet, expressed her delight over the results.

Allers said: “I have been in revenue management for over 35 years and literally have never worked on a revenue management system that speaks to all KPI’s. Then we upgraded to the web-based version of Aviator that is revenue maximization-driven and makes sense.”

A game-changer

She explained that the web-based edition of the management system has significantly changed the way they work. 

Allers said: “It provides us with critical insight into our routes/flights which allows us to make fast decisions and  ultimately become more dynamic and competitive in the marketplace, without overwhelming us with complexities. Also, the interactive workflow increases our productivity and the forecasts projected are realistic with  sensible outputs. Today, we truly feel organised and on top of each route. As a result, we have watched our revenues grow.”  

The beauty of Aviator as a reporting tool is that it provides total autonomy with data at a user’s fingertips. 

The most time will be spent on thinking about what you want and how you want it, and you can begin analysis at the touch of a button. 

As Allers puts it: “This all adds up to a very comprehensive system that we use daily. I am happy to see continued  improvements.” 

A great partnership

For his part, Maxamation account manager in South Africa Corne de Waal praised the fastjet team for their great partnership.

De Waal said:  “Fastjet uses Aviator to help them to completely understand all the nuances of their markets and then develop flight revenue  strategies. Fastjet then converts those strategies into Aviator user settings and allows the Aviator flight revenue optimisation processes to constantly maximise flight revenue. The success that fastjet has had with Aviator is as much about their approach and dedication as it is about the software. The process has been a true partnership.”

Allers said of the partnership: “The Maxamation support team is professional, and their service is terrific. I would encourage other businesses to work with them.” 

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The post 62% of travellers who planned trips on social media made purchase decisions based on content they viewed: Phocuswright appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Madeline List, Manager of Research and Special Projects at Phocuswright, presented key findings from the firm’s latest consumer research study, “Scroll, Heart, Fly: Social Media’s Impact on Travel 2024.” The research delves into how social media influences travel decisions, the nuances of conversion, and the challenges marketers face in measuring its true impact.

List highlighted the growing prevalence of social media usage in travel planning, with 57% of US leisure travelers utilizing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for inspiration, research, and sharing.  She emphasized the importance of understanding the “mindful, intentional consumers” who plan trips over extended periods, differentiating travel from more impulsive industries like fashion and beauty.  List added: “Travel decisions are made with such a long conversion window, there’s so much room for people to get lost remembering where they originally got inspiration from as they plan trips over a span of months, sometimes even years.”

The research revealed that 62% of travelers who planned trips on social media made purchase or visitation decisions based on content they viewed. Food and beverage, cruises, accommodations, and destination selection were among the top categories influenced by social media.   Notably, 72% of those who converted attributed their decisions to content from creators, influencers, or bloggers.

List emphasized the importance of credibility and community building on social media, stating that “portraying things honestly and building real social relationships among followers is going to precede any kind of sale that happens.”

The research also uncovered challenges in measuring the true impact of social media on travel decisions. List noted that many conversions are “categorical,” meaning travelers choose a type of experience rather than a specific brand. Additionally, click-through rates provide a limited view of influence, as travelers often turn to search engines and review sites for further research.

List cautioned against conflating likes and shares with actual influence, urging marketers to focus on depicting accessible experiences and providing valuable information to support trip planning. She also highlighted the need to cater to the “mid-tier” traveler, who may feel underrepresented amidst an abundance of luxury and budget travel content.

Key Takeaways:

• Social media plays a significant role in influencing travel decisions, particularly for younger generations and those seeking inspiration and recommendations.
• Credibility, community building, and authentic content are crucial for driving conversions on social media.
• Measuring the true impact of social media requires a nuanced approach that goes beyond click-through rates and considers categorical conversions.
• Marketers should focus on providing valuable information, depicting accessible experiences, and catering to the needs of the mid-tier traveler.
• Social media should be viewed as one component of a broader digital strategy, not the sole driver of conversions.

 

 

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The post Experienced operators need to increase tech adoption: Arival   appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Despite the growth of online channels, many operators still lack modern booking systems, potentially hindering their growth and efficiency. A new report from Arival, the in-destination experiences industry community, reveals a pressing need for increased technology adoption among tour, activity, and attraction operators.  Despite the significant growth of online channels, many operators still lack modern booking systems, potentially hindering their efficiency and ability to compete in an increasingly digital marketplace.

The report, titled “The Global Operator Landscape: The State of Experiences, 3rd Edition”, is Arival’s largest ever study, surveying more than 7,000 operators.  It highlights that almost two in five operators globally still do not have a reservation system.  This is even though online travel agencies (OTAs) now account for nearly one in three bookings for tour and activity operators.

“The lack of technology adoption among many operators is a concern,”said Douglas Quinby, CEO and Co-founder of Arival.”In today’s digital world, it is essential for operators to have a modern booking system in place to streamline their operations, improve the customer experience, and remain competitive.”

There are many benefits to adopting digital tools, including:

• Improved efficiency: Automated booking and ticketing systems can save operators time and money.
• Enhanced customer experience: Online booking systems make it easier for customers to book and manage their tours and activities.
• Increased revenue: Online booking systems can help operators reach a wider audience and generate more bookings.

However, the report also identifies several challenges that operators face in adopting new technologies, which are acting as the main barriers:

• Cost: Modern booking systems can be expensive to purchase and implement.
• Complexity: Some operators may find it difficult to learn how to use new technologies.
• Lack of awareness: Many operators are not aware of the benefits of adopting digital tools.

“The experiences industry is at a critical juncture,” Quinby continued.  “Operators who embrace technology will be well-positioned for success in the years to come; those that don’t, risk being left behind.  As a leading authority for the experiences industry, Arival is here to help operators overcome some of these barriers and adopt the latest technology.”

The topic of technology adoption will be a key theme at upcoming Arival Activate event in Edinburgh, taking place November 23-25, 2024.  The event will bring together leading in-destination experience operators to explore the latest trends, share best practices, and opportunities to network with peers.

 

 

 

 

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The post Travelbag named as the holiday prize provider for I’m A Celeb appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Tailor-made travel specialists, Travelbag, has been announced as the holiday prize provider for the annual hit show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and the prize could be life-changing. 

On screens every day from Sunday 17th November, the hit UK show  I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here is officially back with a whole host of celebrities that will be pushed to their limits in the Australian jungle. However, the trials are not the only jaw-dropping thing viewers can look forward to this season, as the holiday prize provider has officially been announced, and with it, the largest cash prize ever seen on the show.

For the second year running, tailor-made travel agents at Travelbag have been revealed as the holiday prize providers, maintaining a long-standing relationship with ITV.

The lucky winner will receive a whopping £100,000 cash prize, as well as a luxury trip to Australia.

The winner and three guests will get the chance to fly premium economy with Qantas Airways to Sydney where they will kick start their luxurious 12-night adventure.

The winner and their guests will stay at the Shangri-La, Sydney, and enjoy stunning views of the city’s harbour. They will enjoy a Captain Cook ‘Gold’ dinner cruise in the glow of the iconic Opera House before riding the legendary Ghan train, journeying through the Australian outback for two lavish nights. All meals and drinks are included too! The winner will then travel to the depths of the world’s oldest living rainforest and stay at the Daintree Wilderness Lodge, before finishing the trip near the stunning Great Barrier Reef.

Natalie Watson, Brand and Campaigns Marketing Manager, commented on their involvement in the prize draw: “We’re so pleased to announce that Travelbag will once again be the primary provider for this year’s  I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here grand prize. With £100,000 and a stunning trip to Australia up for grabs, we can’t wait to see who wins this life-changing prize!”

 

 

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The post MakeMyTrip introduces multi-currency payment options appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

MakeMyTrip recently announced its compliance with GDPR, enabling accessibility to the MMT Platform from more than 150 countries. Building on this progress, the company now offers multi-currency payment options, making it easier for users to book flights and hotels in the currency of their choice.  The launch of the multi-currency feature will help connect international travelers directly with the company’s extensive supply network, offering accommodation in over 2,100 cities across India.

Speaking about the development, Rajesh Magow, Co-founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, said, “Travel is becoming increasingly borderless, and this step makes it easier for global travelers to engage with us seamlessly. This feature simplifies payments in the currency of their choice for the Indian Diaspora spread across the globe, as well as our international customers, while also laying the foundation for greater adoption of the MakeMyTrip platform among inbound international travelers.”

The new multi-currency feature allows payments in major global currencies, including the Bahraini Dinar, British Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollar, Danish Krone, EU Euro, Hong Kong Dollar, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen, Kuwaiti Dinar, New Zealand Dollar, Qatari Riyal, Russian Ruble, Saudi Riyal, Singapore Dollar, South African Rand, South Korean Won, Thai Baht, UAE Dirham, and US Dollar.

MakeMyTrip’s launch of multi-currency feature allows travelers to receive travel vouchers and refunds in the currency used during payment, ensuring a seamless experience.

 

 

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